Fifteen years ago, retail electricity deregulation took a mean right hook and was against the ropes. And while the Enron debacle and the California crisis sidelined free market reforms, they did not knock them out. Today, about 17 million electricity customers have exercised their right to choose among providers.
Having suppliers bid for business sounds nice. But the reality is that the unfolding of markets has been extremely messy and many jurisdictions have curtailed their operations, or stopped them altogether. In most industries, the products and services can be delivered on demand, allowing those with the most innovative techniques to win.
